The Body of Christ

PATERSONFor the past few years, the Feast of Corpus Christi in the Paterson Diocese has taken on additional meaning. This year, the feast of the Body of Christ will be celebrated at weekend Masses May 28-29. On that same weekend, the third annual diocesan-wide food drive for the poor served by Catholic Charities agencies will be held.

“Taking our lead from Joseph of Biblical times who readied Egypt and Canaan for the coming famine, it is clear that last year’s support of the Catholic Charities food drive was a testament to the concern, compassion and resolve of all those who participated. Once again this year, I am asking you to cooperate with the annual Catholic Charities Food Drive for the Poor to enable our Catholic Charities agencies to help replenish the shelves in their food pantries. Catholic Charities relies heavily on parishes and schools for donations,” wrote Bishop Serratelli in a letter to the priests of the diocese.

The annual diocesan-wide food drive was first held in 2014 on the Feast of Corpus Christi. During previous years before the diocesan effort, Catholic Charities would make urgent pleas to the faithful to assist in filling the food pantries, especially during the summer months, when the food pantry donations are at their lowest point of the year. The summer has also become an important time to gather extra food, which will be needed during the colder months.

Different from other collections in that parishioners are given a list of suggested food items needed, each participating parish has been designated to collect one or two specific food items for the Corpus Christi collection. The reason for this is to assure Catholic Charities has sufficient quantities of each item. Examples include a collection of canned meats and fish at some parishes while other parishes collect boxes of pasta. Announce­ments from pastors have been made to their parishioners on what specific food items to donate.

In his letter, the Bishop wrote, “The demands upon our food pantries have escalated in recent years due to the downturn in the economy, loss of jobs and the tough times many people have stretching their dollars. Catholic Charities is one of the most important local sources of food for literally thousands of our brothers and sisters in genuine need —particularly their children.”

According to diocesan Catholic Charities, more than half the children in the cities of Passaic and Paterson live in poverty. One in five in Sussex County and one in six in Morris County live in poverty. The average family of four receiving food stamps cannot pay for all the meals the family needs each month.

Because of this need, some parishes individually have their own food pantry and the collection will also assist these parishes. While Catholic Charities will receive the food collected in this drive, its agencies will share these donations with any parish pantry having a need.

Joseph Duffy, president of diocesan Catholic Charities and executive director of Straight and Narrow in Paterson, said, “The annual food drive on the Feast of Corpus Christi is such a beautiful act of love, appropriate anytime, but especially in this Year of Mercy. People from all around the Diocese are coming together to feed those among us who are hungry. What a blessing. Thank you.”